Awkward: The Science of Why We're Socially Awkward and Why That's Awesome
By Ty Tashiro
4/5
()
Currently unavailable
Currently unavailable
About this ebook
In the vein of Quiet and The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth comes this illuminating look at what it means to be awkward—and how the same traits that make us socially anxious and cause embarrassing faux pas also provide the seeds for extraordinary success.
As humans, we all need to belong. While modern social life can make even the best of us feel gawky, for roughly one in five of us, navigating its challenges is consistently overwhelming—an ongoing maze without an exit. Often unable to grasp social cues or master the skills and grace necessary for smooth interaction, we feel out of sync with those around us. Though individuals may recognize their awkward disposition, they rarely understand why they are like this—which makes it hard for them to know how to adjust their behavior.
Psychologist and interpersonal relationship expert Ty Tashiro knows what it’s like to be awkward. Growing up, he could do math in his head and memorize the earned run averages of every National League starting pitcher. But he couldn’t pour liquids without spilling and habitually forgot to bring his glove to Little League games. In Awkward, he unpacks decades of research into human intelligence, neuroscience, personality, and sociology to help us better understand this widely shared trait. He explores its nature vs. nurture origins, considers how the awkward view the world, and delivers a welcome counterintuitive message: the same characteristics that make people socially clumsy can be harnessed to produce remarkable achievements.
Interweaving the latest research with personal tales and real world examples, Awkward offers reassurance and provides valuable insights into how we can embrace our personal quirks and unique talents to harness our awesome potential—and more comfortably navigate our complex world.
Ty Tashiro
Ty Tashiro, PhD, is the author of The Science of Happily Ever After. His work has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Time.com, TheAtlantic.com, and on NPR and SiriusXM Stars radio. He received his doctorate in psychology from the University of Minnesota, has been an award-winning professor at the University of Maryland and University of Colorado, and has addressed TED@NYC, Harvard Business School, MIT’s Media Lab, and the American Psychological Association. He lives in New York City.
Related to Awkward
Related ebooks
Observe to Unmask: 100 Small Things to Know People Better Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Why Smart People Hurt: A Guide for the Bright, the Sensitive, and the Creative Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Art of Witty Banter: Be Clever, Quick, & Magnetic Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Irresistible Introvert: Harness the Power of Quiet Charisma in a Loud World Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Secret Lives of Introverts: Inside Our Hidden World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Trust Yourself: Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5You're Not Listening: What You're Missing and Why It Matters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Talking to 'Crazy': How to Deal with the Irrational and Impossible People in Your Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Influential Mind: What the Brain Reveals About Our Power to Change Others Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Listen with Intention: The Foundation of True Connection, Communication, and Relationships Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Art of Everyday Assertiveness: Speak Up. Set Boundaries. Say No. Take Back Control. Get What You Want. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Like Switch: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Influencing, Attracting, and Winning People Over Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Wisdom of Psychopaths: What Saints, Spies, and Serial Killers Can Teach Us About Success Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Power of Different: The Link Between Disorder and Genius Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Art of Conversation: Change Your Life with Confident Communication Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Laziness Does Not Exist Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Selfie: How We Became So Self-Obsessed and What It's Doing to Us Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Be Yourself: Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5People Skills Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5What Game Are You Playing?: A Framework for Redefining Success and Achieving What Matters Most Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Taming Your Gremlin (Revised Edition): A Surprisingly Simple Method for Getting Out of Your Own Way Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Better Small Talk: Talk to Anyone, Avoid Awkwardness, Generate Deep Conversations, and Make Real Friends Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Self-Improvement For You
The Big Book of 30-Day Challenges: 60 Habit-Forming Programs to Live an Infinitely Better Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Win Friends and Influence People: Updated For the Next Generation of Leaders Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning & End Of Suffering Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Stolen Life: A Memoir Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Language of Letting Go: Daily Meditations on Codependency Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Self-Care for People with ADHD: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Prioritize You! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Think and Grow Rich (Illustrated Edition): With linked Table of Contents Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How May I Serve Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall In Love With the Process of Becoming Great Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Less Fret, More Faith: An 11-Week Action Plan to Overcome Anxiety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Mastery of Self: A Toltec Guide to Personal Freedom Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Healing the Shame That Binds You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Awkward
26 ratings5 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Loved it, very eye opening
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A helpful book. It helps normal people to understand more-awkward people, and helps for awkward people to figure out normal social interactions.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A psychologist looks at some data about awkwardness and draws some conclusions. Confession: I listened to the audiobook version of this work, and sometimes my mind wandered. I don’t often listen to audiobook nonfiction, as I’m more of a visual learner, but this book’s intriguing subject and conversational tone made for a generally positive listening experience, even if I may have missed some details. This is definitely intended as a popular, rather than scholarly, work. I’m not sure if did everything promised in the subtitle, but it gave me some thoughts to chew on.I was supposed to get this book from the Early Reviewers program, but it never arrived. I saw that it was available as an e-audiobook through one of my library’s ebook platforms, so I borrowed it there.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5For awkward people like myself, this books is great. However it is so dense and academically packed that I'd need to reread it a few times to get the most of it. I did take some strategies away that I can utilize now with my interactions with others and I'll draw on this book as a resource should I need to review. I think I'll be doing lots of review. :) One step at a time, right?
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I won this book through Early Reviewers and I was looking forward to getting it. Except I didn't. But it looks like no one else got it either. So when it showed up at the library after it was published I thought I would read it because the subject matter seemed interesting to me.Many of us feel awkward to some degree in life situations or for some maybe chronically. Mr. Tashiro walks us through many of these challenges from his perspective when he was an awkward youth and gradually but probably not completely shed the condition. Many of the topics covered come across as obvious things that are not that hard to explain or diagnose. Aside from all the discussion however he does not offer much in the way of help other than understanding.Finally at the conclusion he delves into a bit of why the awkward person has advantages that can be applied primarily in vocational or work scenarios. Socially however one is still on his own and will not find much here to serve much purpose.
1 person found this helpful